Bag spreader for re-sealbale bags

ABSTRACT

A bag spreader apparatus has an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail, and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the area of manual appliances, such as for kitchen use, and pertains more particularly to apparatus for spreading and stabilizing re-sealable bags for filling and access.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional bag holders typically require two-hand operation or are not compatible with re-sealable bags. Therefore, a significant need exists to improve how loose material may be inserted into re-sealable type bags eliminating potential spillage that occurs when inserting loose material, and possible interference with the sealing mechanism of the bags.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in several embodiments is a spreader apparatus that allows an end user to load loose material, such as food items, into a re-sealable or zip-lock type bag without spillage, and to easily access material in such a bag. In one embodiment the apparatus has opposable jaws that go inside the re-sealable bag such that the jaws may be spread by a user using one hand, while the other hand is free to place the material into the bag, or to access material in the bag. The opposing jaws are arranged with a sliding system that when pulled apart causes the jaws to grab and retain opposite sides of re-sealable bags. The apparatus grips a re-sealable bag firmly from the inside of the bag with gently contoured jaws, hooks or grabbers that hold the bag from slipping past the sealing (zip) areas of the plastic bag. This allows the bag to be filled with one hand holding the apparatus and bag, and one hand used for filling or ladling the consumable foods. The sealing area (zip) portion is protected from clogging with material by the inside of the contoured jaws that hold the bag open. There are in some embodiments also bumps or stops that hold the bag securely on the jaws of the spreading apparatus while in the open position. The two piece design permits easy disassembly for cleaning and ease in manufacturing. In addition a fill tube is provided as a custom-fitted container in which the spreader apparatus and a spread-open bag may be supported for hands-free operation.

In one embodiment a bag spreader apparatus is provided comprising an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail, and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements.

Also in one embodiment there may be a detent structure implemented on the upper and lower side rails providing one or more detented positions that constrain the position of the lower portion relative to the upper portion, thereby constraining the dimension between the first and the second jaw elements. In one detented position the upper and the lower handle portions are aligned, defining a maximum opening for the jaw elements.

In some embodiments one or both of the upper and lower jaw elements have one or more structures extending substantially horizontally away from an opening defined by the distance between the jaw elements, the structures for firmly engaging the inside of a flexible bag to hold the bag open for filling or emptying. The one or more structures may be lip elements extending from a lowermost region of each jaw element.

In another aspect of the invention a method for holding a flexible bag open for filing or emptying is provided, comprising the steps of (a) providing a bag spreader apparatus comprising an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail; and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements; (b) translating the lower portion in a manner to move the jaw elements relatively close together; (c) placing the jaws into an opening of a flexible bag; (d) translating the lower portion relative to the upper portion in a manner to move the jaw elements further apart, to the extent that the opening dimensions of the flexible bag constrain the jaw elements from moving further apart; and (e) detenting the lower portion relative to the upper portion to keep the bag firmly open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spreader apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, shown fully engaged in a re-sealable bag.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spreader apparatus of FIG. 1 disengaged from a re-sealable bag.

FIG. 3 Is a perspective view of the spreader apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in non-extended mode.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spreader apparatus with the jaws in the extended, deployed position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view and two end views of a translatable portion of the spreader apparatus in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along section line A-A of FIG. 5, and also illustrates some additional detail.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view and two end views of a stationary portion of the spreader apparatus in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along section line A-A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support holder for the spreader apparatus and an engaged bag in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the support holder of FIG. 9 with a spreader apparatus engaged. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional perspective view taken along line B-B of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as further defined in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly 101 of a bag-spreading apparatus 102 in an embodiment of the invention engaged with a re-sealable bag 110, holding the bag open, thus allowing consumable food to be easily inserted into re-sealable bag 110 while holding handle support 112 in an extended deployed position. The apparatus 102 may be made of any moldable substance with memory such as rubber, urethane, nylon, plastic, or polyvinyl for example. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the attachment to be made of flexible but strong plastic such as Mylar, polypropylene or any other flexible material exhibiting the required characteristics.

FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective view of two-part bag-spreader apparatus 102 in retracted mode shown disengaged from bag 110. Forward jaw 106 is a part of an upper portion, and rearward jaw 105 is a part of a lower portion that translates in a track in the upper portion, such that, in the retracted mode shown the distance 111 between jaws 105 and 106 is less than the inside width of re-sealable bag opening 121, therefore allowing easy insertion of the jaws.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of bag-spreader 102 in retracted position, without a bag being shown. Upper portion 120 comprises a handle portion 104 which is contiguous with forward jaw 106. Lower portion 130 comprises jaw 105 and lower handle portion 107. The handle portions 104 and 107 are offset when in the retracted position by the distance between the jaws. The lower portion 130 translates in a track formed in the upper portion such that moving the handle portions relative to one another opens and closes the jaws. Detents 103 allow limitation of the movement of the upper and lower portions. When the lower handle portion is drawn to be directly below the upper handle portion the two portions form a substantially circular handle, the jaws are drawn to maximum open position, and the detents keep the jaws open.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of bag-spreader apparatus 102 in the extended position with the jaws maximum open and the handle portions aligned. The dimensions are such to provide for firmly engaging a re-sealable bag as shown in FIG. 1. Different bags may require different dimensions of the spreader apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of lower portion 130 of bag-spreader apparatus 102 with projected end views. Lower portion 130 comprises lower handle portion 107, rearward jaw 105 and side rails 127 and 128. There are serrated detents 103 embedded into both side rails 127 and 128 the unitary one piece lower slider along with the aft grab jaw 105 lower left slider rail 127 and lower right slider rail 128 and lower handle portion 107. These detents engage with projections described below in upper portion 120 to hold the apparatus open when fully extended.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of lower portion 130 in cross-section taken along section line A-A of FIG. 5. Rearward jaw 105 has in this embodiment a lip 144 that engages the inside of a bag when the jaws are extended to hold the bag open. This lip helps to support the re-sealable bag against forces that are applied when filling the bag, for example.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of upper portion 120 of the bad-spreader apparatus in an embodiment of the invention with projected end views, comprising forward jaw 106. Side rails of upper portion 120 have cantilevered portions 156 and 157 that provide a constraining track for side rails 127 and 128 of the lower portion, allowing lower portion 130 to translate along this track to open and close the jaws. FIG. 7 also shows extensions at each end of upper handle portion 104, the extensions formed to engage detents 103 in the side rails of lower portion 130 when the apparatus is fully extended, with the handle portions aligned and forming a cylinder.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view in cross-section of upper portion 120 of FIG. 7, with projected end views, showing forward extending lip 143 that serves the same function as lip 144 described above with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support holder 305 useful with the grab bag apparatus, allowing a user to support the grab bag while in use.

FIG. 10 illustrates support holder 305 of FIG. 9 with a spreader apparatus 102 resting in the opening at the top of the support holder.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate support holder 305 supporting the a grab bag apparatus 102 in another embodiment of the invention.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there may be changes in the embodiments shown and described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Dimensions of course may vary to accommodate bags of different dimensions. Details to aid the jaws in retaining bags may vary as well, such as other sorts of projections other the lips described. Materials may vary. The nature of the detents that engage to keep the apparatus extended may vary as well. There many other sorts of changes that may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, and the breadth of the invention is only limited by the claims that follow. 

1. A bag spreader apparatus comprising: an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail; and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements.
 2. The bag spreader apparatus of claim 1 comprising a detent structure implemented on the upper and lower side rails providing one or more detented positions that constrain the position of the lower portion relative to the upper portion, thereby constraining the dimension between the first and the second jaw elements.
 3. The bag spreader apparatus of claim 2 wherein one detented position aligns the upper and the lower handle portions, defining a maximum opening for the jaw elements.
 4. The bag spreader apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or both of the upper and lower jaw elements have one or more structures extending substantially horizontally away from an opening defined by the distance between the jaw elements, the structures for firmly engaging the inside of a flexible bag to hold the bag open for filling or emptying.
 5. The bag spreader of claim 4 wherein the one or more structures are lip elements extending from a lowermost region of each jaw element.
 6. A method for holding a flexible bag open for filing or emptying, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a bag spreader apparatus comprising an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail; and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements; (b) translating the lower portion in a manner to move the jaw elements relatively close together; (c) placing the jaws into an opening of a flexible bag; (d) translating the lower portion relative to the upper portion in a manner to move the jaw elements further apart, to the extent that the opening dimensions of the flexible bag constrain the jaw elements from moving further apart; and (e) detenting the lower portion relative to the upper portion to keep the bag firmly open. 